India vs England Match Prediction: Who will win today's 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal match?
England won two of their four matches in the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage and then lost another game in the Super 8s. At several points during the competition, it seemed like they wouldn't make the knockouts.
India, on the other hand, have coasted so far. The Men in Blue haven't dropped a single game yet, even though they were thrust into a few uncomfortable situations. They also vanquished Australia, effectively eliminating the Kangaroos from the competition.
Will all of that mean nothing when India and England lock horns in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup? Usually, the answer would be a resounding yes. But Guyana's weather forecast doesn't look too promising, and if there's a no-result, India's exploits in the group stages will take them to the summit clash.
With 10 overs a side needed to constitute a contest, England will be hoping that the weather holds up. Even if they haven't been the best version of themselves in the tournament, they perhaps hold a mental edge over India, who they hammered in the semifinal back in 2022.
Can India keep their unbeaten run going? Or will England's glorious white-ball era have another final appearance to their name?
2024 T20 World Cup: India vs England promises to be a competitive affair
On paper, India have the tools needed to upset England's rhythm. They have two left-arm spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, who can dominate the opposition's rightie-heavy lineup. Kuldeep Yadav is a bowler most of England's batters won't have an answer to, and the same can be said about Jasprit Bumrah as well.
It's in the batting department that India have concerns. While most of their batters have contributed in some way, none of them are in rip-roaring form. Rohit Sharma was at his destructive best against Australia, but the skipper is known to be inconsistent in the T20 format. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, hasn't been able to buy a run.
Do England have enough bowling firepower to set the cat among the pigeons? Jofra Archer is slowly but surely getting back to his best, and Adil Rashid has been one of the standout bowlers in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Reece Topley and Sam Curran, meanwhile, have enjoyed bowling to India in the past.
This is a tough one to call. The chasing team is likely to have the advantage, given the imminent threat of rain. England have more than enough ability in their ranks, but India have played a better brand of cricket in the tournament and seem to be clicking better as a unit.
Rohit and Co. will be the favorites for this ICC knockout game, and that hasn't always ended well for them. While the intangible mental aspects might have a role to play, it's safe to say that India are expected to get the job done on Thursday.
Prediction: India to win SF2 of 2024 T20 World Cup.